Spider plant, parlor palm, cast iron plant, peperomia, and Christmas cactus are good picks for a house with kids. They are non-toxic, they have no spines, and they grow back after a rough day.
I have four young children. A plant has to pass a few tests to live at floor level in a house like mine.
What makes a plant kid-proof
- It is non-toxic. Every pick below is on the ASPCA list of plants that are non-toxic to cats and dogs. That list is written for pets, not people, but it is a good first filter.
- It has no spines, sharp edges, or irritating sap.
- It forgives neglect. A missed watering does not kill it.
- It grows back. A snapped stem is not the end.
- It is cheap to replace. Rare plants belong on high shelves.
14 plants that pass
| Plant | Light | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Spider plant | Bright indirect | Tough, fast, and makes babies kids can pot up |
| Parlor palm | Low | Soft fronds, and it grows in a dim corner |
| Cast iron plant | Low | Thick leaves that shrug off a bump |
| Peperomia | Medium | Small, sturdy, and slow to wilt |
| Christmas cactus | Bright indirect | No spines. A broken piece roots in soil. |
| Chinese money plant | Bright indirect | Round leaves and babies to share |
| Prayer plant | Medium | The leaves fold up at bedtime |
| Hoya | Bright indirect | Waxy leaves that are hard to tear |
| Swedish ivy | Bright indirect | Grows back fast after a haircut |
| Zebra haworthia | Bright indirect | A small succulent with soft points, not spines |
| Money tree | Bright indirect | A small tree with a sturdy braided trunk |
| Kentia palm | Medium | A tall plant that is safe at floor level |
| Purple passion | Bright indirect | Fuzzy purple leaves kids want to pet |
| Boston fern | Bright indirect | Safe, though it sheds when it gets dry |
Plants kids like
Some plants do something. Those are the ones that get a child to care about plants.
Prayer plant. The leaves lift and fold at night and open in the morning. My kids love to watch the leaves fold, and so do I.
Spider plant. It grows baby plants on long runners. A child can snip one, set it in a small pot, and have a plant of their own.
Chinese money plant. It sends up babies through the soil. Each one can go in a cup for a friend or a teacher.
Christmas cactus. It blooms in the middle of winter, when nothing else does.
Purple passion. The leaves feel like velvet.
Venus flytrap. A Venus flytrap is non-toxic, and every kid wants one. It is fussy. It needs distilled water, direct sun, and a cold rest in winter. Each trap can only close a few times before it dies, so poking them for fun wears the plant out. Buy it as a project, not as decor.
Plants to keep out of reach
These are common. Keep them off the floor and low tables in a house with a toddler.
| Plant | The problem |
|---|---|
| Dieffenbachia | The sap causes pain and swelling in the mouth |
| Pothos, philodendron, and monstera | Chewed leaves irritate the mouth |
| Peace lily | Chewed leaves irritate the mouth |
| Sago palm | Every part is poisonous |
| African milk tree and crown of thorns | Spines, and a sap that irritates skin and eyes |
| Bunny ear cactus | Tiny barbed hairs that stick in skin |
| Snake plant and ZZ plant | Cause stomach upset if eaten |
| Amaryllis | The bulb is the most toxic part |
High shelves and hanging pots work for vines. A trailing pothos still grows down, so trim it before it reaches small hands.
If a child eats part of any plant, call your local poison control center. Have the plant’s name ready.
How to pot a plant so it survives
Most plant damage is physics. A tall plant in a light pot tips over.
- Use a heavy, wide pot. Ceramic or terracotta with a broad base stays put. A pot that is wider than it is tall is the hardest to tip.
- Keep the plastic nursery pot. Set it inside the heavy pot. When the plant gets knocked over, the root ball stays in one piece.
- Skip tall, narrow plant stands. They are the first thing to fall. A low stool or the floor is safer.
- Put floor plants in corners. A corner protects two sides and keeps leaves out of the running path.
- Hang what you can. A ceiling hook over a spot where nobody walks is the safest place in the house.
- Use saucers with a lip. Spilled water on the floor is how plants get banned.
The dirt problem
My cats and my kids dig in the dirt of my houseplant pots. It is just something that happens.
A layer of large, smooth stones on top of the soil slows the digging. Use stones too big to fit in a small mouth. Lift one to check the soil before you water.
Keep a small brush and dustpan near the plants. Soil cleanup takes a minute when the tools are close.
Avoid fertilizer spikes and granules on top of the soil in a house with small children. Use liquid fertilizer mixed into the watering can, and store the bottle out of reach.
When a plant gets wrecked
Most damage looks worse than it is.
- Snapped stem. Cut it clean just above a leaf. Put the broken piece in water. Spider plant, Swedish ivy, pothos, and hoya all root this way.
- Torn leaves. Trim along the natural shape, or leave them. New leaves will cover the damage.
- Knocked out of the pot. Set it back at the same depth, firm the soil, and water once.
- Drowned. Tip out the standing water and let the soil dry. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.
Give each child a plant
A spider plant baby in a small pot is a good first plant. It costs nothing, it grows fast, and it forgives a child who waters too much or forgets.
Let them name it. Put it where they can reach it. A plant that belongs to a child gets better care from that child than any plant that belongs to the house.
Quick answers
What is the safest houseplant for a home with a baby? Spider plant, parlor palm, and peperomia are all non-toxic and have no sharp parts.
Are succulents safe around kids? Zebra haworthia and echeveria are. Skip cacti with spines, and skip euphorbias, which have an irritating sap.
What plant can kids grow on their own? A spider plant baby, or a Christmas cactus cutting.
How do I stop my toddler from digging in plant pots? Cover the soil with large stones, or move the pot up high until the phase passes.
If you have pets too, see the full list of pet-safe houseplants.